Page 65 of Off Limits Daddies
"Noah?" Maya appears in the doorway a few minutes later. "What's for dinner?"
I open the fridge and stare at its sparse contents. Some eggs, cheese, and leftover takeout that's probably questionable. Nothing that feeds three hungry kids.
"How about we order pizza?" I pull out my phone.
"Can we have pepperoni?" Ethan's voice is quiet from the hallway.
"Sure, buddy."
As I place the order, reality crashes over me. I'm in over my head. Three kids for "a few days" that will probably stretch into weeks. Mia, God, what is she going to think about this?
I stare at my phone after hanging up with the pizza place. I should text her. Explain. But how do I explain Vanessa showing up with three kids? How do I make that sound like anything other than the complicated mess it is?
My fingers move before my brain catches up.
My ex dropped her kids off, needs me to watch them for a few days. Long story. Want to bring the twins over for dinner? Might be chaotic but the kids could meet.
I stare at the message before sending it. This is insane. Introducing Mia to Vanessa's kids, blending these parts of my life. But something about this afternoon, watching her with Jack and Blake, makes me want to see her with Maya, Ethan, and Sophie, too.
I hit send.
The three dots appear almost immediately, then disappear. Appear again. My heart hammers against my ribs.
That sounds nice. Give me 30 minutes?
I exhale. "Hey, guys? I invited some friends over. Two boys about your age."
Maya looks up from the couch where she's settled with a coloring book. "Friends?"
"Yeah. Rory and Corey. They're twins. Nine years old."
The next thirty minutes pass in a blur of straightening up, checking that the kids' rooms are acceptable, and second-guessing every decision I've made today. When the doorbell rings, all three kids look up expectantly.
"That's them." I open the door.
Mia stands there with Rory and Corey flanking her, each holding one of her hands. She's changed into jeans and a soft sweater, her hair pulled back in a ponytail.
"Hi." Her smile is tentative.
"Come in." I step aside.
The twins eye the apartment with curiosity while Maya, Ethan, and Sophie peer around the corner from the living room.
"Guys, this is Mia, Rory, and Corey." I gesture to each. "Mia, these are Maya, Ethan, and Sophie."
"Hi," Maya says, ever the social one.
Sophie waves shyly. Ethan clutches his rabbit but doesn't retreat.
"Want to build a fort?" Maya asks the twins.
"Yeah!" Rory and Corey chorus together.
Within minutes, all five kids are in the living room, the initial awkwardness dissolving into the easy chaos of childhood. Mia and I stand in the kitchen, watching as they gather pillows, spare blankets, and whatever else they feel they might need.
"So." She leans against the counter. "Your ex?"
"Vanessa. We dated for two years. I helped raise her kids during that time." I run a hand through my hair. "She showed uptonight. Desperate for me to watch the kids for a few days while she tries to figure things out."
